Johannes Appel

Johannes Appel was born during the mid-seventeenth century. He was the son of Beverwyck settlers Adriaen Janse and Maria Reyverding Appel. His father was an innkeeper and schoolteacher who moved the family between New York, Albany, and Schenectady.

Johannes Appel's wife was named Anna. Perhaps the couple had no children as no baptisms were recorded in Albany. However, he was a member of the Albany Dutch church and a frequent baptism sponsor there over several decades as late as January 1727.

During the 1680s, he frequently appeared before the Albany court. In 1689, he was included among Albany householders living in the second ward. At that time, he was identified as a "master smith" who trained apprentices. He first served as a constable in that year as well.

However, in 1690, he was one of those wounded in the French and Indian attack on Schenectady. He was appointed sheriff of Albany in 1692. In 1693, he also was named chamberlain or treasurer. He seems to have held both offices at the same time.

The census taken in 1697, identified Appel and his wife as Albany residents. Two years later, he joined his Albany neighbors in swearing allegiance to the king of England. In 1702, his second ward house was valued on the Albany assessment roll.

After that, he seems to have moved out to the Manor where he was listed as a freeholder in 1720.